Temple University introduces a new initiative allowing students firsthand experience in police patrols, offering insights into law enforcement beyond the campus perimeter.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA – Temple University has rolled out a novel program granting students a firsthand glimpse into the day-to-day realities of police work. While the majority of Temple students traverse their typical path to classes, Temple junior Lucas Burke finds himself gearing up for patrol duty.

Burke, a psychology major, emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience before forming opinions on policing. He states, Recently, the police has been a very hot button topic, very hot button issue and people are always quick to give their opinions on the job, on what they think policing actually is. I say before you do that, actually sit in a car, actually go on a patrol with them. You can never have too much information.

Bridging Theory with Reality

In this innovative program, students like Burke engage directly with law enforcement professionals, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Deputy Director of Organizational Affairs at Temple Police, Michael Smith, underscores the significance of this experiential learning opportunity, remarking, They get the classroom perspective in their programs, but we want them to get the real life actual practical perspective.

During Burke’s ride-along, he gains insight into the expansive jurisdiction of Temple police, extending far beyond the confines of the university campus. He reflects on this revelation, stating, A resident who lives five blocks outside of campus, never went to Temple, she can still call the police and Temple police will respond to anything she calls about. So, having that perspective of like, no this is serious. They do regular police stuff here in North Philadelphia. That was really eye-opening.

Safety and Realism at the Forefront

Temple police prioritize safety throughout the ride-along experience, ensuring students understand the authentic challenges officers face daily. Smith emphasizes the reality of the experience, stating, In the event something did happen, we would have to drop them off at a safe location and then respond to that call. We need them to know it is real life, reality, and what they are going to see, is what our officers engage and hear every day.

Inspiring Future Law Enforcement Professionals

Beyond fostering a deeper understanding of law enforcement, Temple’s ride-along program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in policing. Burke envisions his participation as a stepping stone towards his future ambitions, remarking, The experience that you can get here as a Philadelphia or Temple police officer, compared to where you would get in other areas of the state, is not comparable at all. This is a very busy, high frequency department so, I think that experience will definitely help me in my future.

How to Participate

Students of all majors can partake in a ride-along by contacting the department via email. Following the completion of a waiver, a date will be scheduled for the experience, providing an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into law enforcement operations.

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